I flinch at the use of my patient number and slide from the hidden window seat, snapping my book closed to bound down the corridor. The nurse’s cry came from the direction of my room.

“Twenty-niiiine … ” a male, sing-song voice calls out through the bars. I swerve and dart out of his way, narrowly missing those yellowed, grasping fingernails. My heartbeat doubles as I spin and run faster.

Interestingly, as I spoke to my mother about the trip—she related that as a young teen, she and her brother stayed for a week at an asylum in the 1940’s in Kentucky. Relatives were working as caretakers there, and my mother had vivid memories of hay bales, and an asylum dance…and a few scary stories, that did make their way into the books.

As a YA history-fantasy novelist, typically a place or an incident which will spark an entire book, sometimes an entire series. This is what occurred as I toured and researched 19th century asylums.

I toured Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia.

As I am in medicine by day, my particular profession necessitated I do an internship rotation in psych, as well as a minor in college. I love neuroscience and the history of medicine, so they often appear rolled into one, in my books.

"I loved this book! I literally could not put it down, so I definitely made a mistake in starting it at work. I found it so interesting to keep having a narration change between 29, Jules, and Dr. Greyjoy."

The cold, snow and ice, are important to Jane, ingrained in her memory. She covers her walls of sketches of cold—both good and evil. From the imposing snowflake- covered-spires of the asylum to beautiful images of ice skating and sleigh rides—experiences she has only read about.

"It felt authentic to that time period (1894) and the stories that we hear now about insane asylums and how they were run, how the patients were treated and the overall creepiness of them. The story ends abruptly, and there are still questions to be answered, so I'm looking forward to reading more!"

"I like how the author explored two characters with synesthesia and showed that despite their disorders they could still be considered “normal.” The girls just saw the world differently and it was interesting to read from their POVs as they experienced their environment."

The Requiem Red

by Brynn Chapman

YA Historical Urban Fantasy

Hardcover, Paperback & ebook, 300 Pages
April 5th 2016 by Month9Books

Patient Twenty-nine.

A monster roams the halls of Soothing Hills Asylum. Three girls dead. 29 is endowed with the curse…or gift of perception. She hears messages in music, sees lyrics in paintings. And the corn. A lifetime asylum resident, the orchestral corn music is the only constant in her life.

Mason, a new, kind orderly, sees 29 as a woman, not a lunatic. And as his belief in her grows, so does her self- confidence. That perhaps she might escape, might see the outside world.

But the monster has other plans. The missing girl's share one common thread...each was twenty-nine's cell mate.

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.

Current State of Things

Welcome to Colorimetry!

I currently work full time while being a wife and mother of four, so...

I'm not accepting review requests. I am, however, thrilled to promote YA Fantasy & Historical Romance (content for all audiences only, please) as well as post guest posts. Email me at burgandyice(at)live(dot)com to see your book on Colorimetry. If you'd like me to organize your book promotion, please contact Prism Book Tours.

Follow Colorimetry - it's fun!

Linky Thingame!!!

Networkin'

Colorimetry

Colorimetry

Awake, O North Wind

Donna Smallenberg Gallery

FTC Disclaimer

Following the FTC regulations that govern reviewers I must state that people give me free books and products in exchange for my review of those products. I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews and my reviews are my honest, personal opinion, negative or positive. In no way are my reviews swayed by compensation.